Common Childhood Infections

Faced with an infection or ailment in the classroom?

This page was created with educators in mind. Southwestern Public Health and the Middlesex-London Health Unit have co-produced a resource called "A Guide to Common Childhood Infections."

This guide will help you determine your role in the event a child attending your school or day care has an infectious and/or reportable disease. This resource provides general information about:

• Signs and symptoms of common childhood infections
• How infections spread
• How to prevent spread of infection
• When to exclude someone from school and/or daycare
• When to report an infection to your local public health unit

The Canadian Pediatric Society has an excellent resource on its Caring for Kids website called "Health Conditions and Treatments" that you may also find useful.  

Head lice are small insects that can live on your scalp. They do not cause illness. Anyone can get head lice.

Download our Head Lice Fact Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.

Pink Eye

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an infection of the thin lining of the eyeball (conjunctiva). It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, allergies or other irritants. 

Symptoms may include:

• Pink or red eyes that appear swollen and feel irritated
• Watery eyes
• Thick pus draining from the eye

Pink eye that is caused by bacteria or viruses are very contagious and are spread person to person through contact with the infected eye fluid. Pink eye caused by an allergy or irritant can't be spread person to person. 

Learn more about conjunctivitis (pink eye) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Fifth Disease

Fifth disease is a common childhood infection caused by the parvovirus B19. It can be a concern if you are pregnant and have not had the infection before.

Some adults may not show symptoms. For others, especially children, symptoms may include:

• Very red rash on the cheeks
• Lace-like rash on the body and arms that may be itchy
• Slight fever

 Fifth disease is spread through coughing and sneezing, or contact with a contaminated surface.

View our fifth disease fact sheet or learn more about fifth disease from the Canadian Paediatric Society.

Impetigo

Impetigo is a skin infection caused by the group A streptococcal bacteria.

It usually appears as a skin rash of small, red bumps or blisters that ooze and crust over. The crust can look like dried honey.

Impetigo is spread by contact with the fluid from an infected person’s rash.  Towels, pillow cases and clothing can also spread this infection from person to person. 

Learn more about impetigo from the Canadian Paediatric Society. 

Hand Foot and Mouth

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral infection that usually affects children.

Symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Mouth sores
• Body rash

HFMD is spread through coughing and sneezing, or contact with surfaces contaminated by infected poop or bodily fluids. 

Learn more about hand, foot and mouth disease from the Canadian Paediatric Society.

COVID-19

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that circulate both in humans and animals. Human coronaviruses are common and are typically associated with mild illness, similar to the “common cold” or more severe illnesses, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

 For additional information on COVID-19, visit our Covid Info and Vaccines page.